Only 0.3% of Capital Region Drivers Properly Know the 'Right Turn Traffic Rule'

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 06 Feb.2024 08:42(KST)

Correct and Incorrect Rates for Right Turns in Different Situations

A survey revealed that only 0.3% of drivers in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Gyeonggi-do, properly understand the right-turn traffic law.

The Gyeonggi Research Institute conducted a perception survey last December targeting 600 people, including 400 drivers and 200 pedestrians in the metropolitan area, regarding right-turn traffic methods. The results showed that only 1 out of 400 drivers (0.3%) accurately understood the detailed aspects of the right-turn method.

Additionally, 75.3% of drivers reported experiencing retaliatory behavior (such as honking or headlight threats) from vehicles behind them while making a complete stop for a right turn. 78.3% of drivers felt frustrated when the vehicle ahead stopped completely even though they themselves did not have to stop, and 65.3% of drivers said they were startled by pedestrians suddenly appearing during a right turn.

According to the 2022 amendment to the Road Traffic Act and the enforcement of the new Road Traffic Act Enforcement Rules last year, vehicle drivers are required to make a complete stop when making a right turn at intersections.

In this regard, 58.8% of drivers reported feeling stressed due to the changes in right-turn traffic rules, with the stress level even higher at 67.0% among commuters.

Furthermore, 67.5% of drivers admitted to violating the complete stop rule and making a right turn when no pedestrians were present. The main reason drivers gave for not complying with the complete stop rule was "not knowing the exact traffic method" (32.4%), which was higher than "wanting to go quickly" (30.6%).

Regarding the changed right-turn traffic method, 40.3% of drivers responded that they "know" about it, which was higher than the 6.8% who said they "do not know."

The institute pointed out that since most drivers make right turns using incorrect traffic methods, conflicts among drivers and confusion arise, making it difficult to expect improvements from the system changes.

In fact, drivers identified frequent legal amendments causing confusion among drivers as the top issue (35.8%) during the introduction of the right-turn rule, followed by unnecessary traffic congestion (21.3%).

As measures to improve right turns, respondents suggested installing dedicated right-turn traffic lights (37.0%), strengthening publicity and education (25.5%), and equipping large vehicles with blind spot prevention devices (15.8%).

The institute emphasized that installing dedicated right-turn traffic lights is more urgent than the costly installation of smart crosswalks.

They also proposed structural improvements to intersections, such as removing traffic islands that threaten pedestrians, reducing the turning radius at intersections, and relocating crosswalks at road corners. For large vehicles, which have a pedestrian crossing accident fatality rate 2.2 times higher than passenger cars, the institute is pushing for mandatory blind spot prevention devices. They also suggested installing a "Safe Active Island," a waiting space for children at crosswalks, and proposed moving the driver's seat from the current left side to the right side.

Senior Research Fellow Park Kyung-cheol of the Gyeonggi Research Institute stated, "Our society is obsessed with the complete stop rule that no one really understands," and emphasized, "It is necessary to establish a traffic culture where drivers themselves slow down unconditionally when making a right turn, rather than focusing on a complete stop."